In every city I visit, I travel lot for my work, there are numerous martial art schools. Most of them are commercial in nature and focus mainly on children. You watch the class and leave feeling somewhat empty. There doesn't seem to be any tradition or actual martial art application behind what you witnessed.
About 3 months ago I visited the Aikijutsu Academy of Indianapolis. I had seen their website for years and was very excited to see it in person. I was extremely impressed by this place. The Sensei teaches out of his house. He has the dojo area, a bathroom / changing area and an office. I have never seen such an authentic looking dojo in the US. It is beautiful.
When I arrived, the class was already meditating. The lights were down low and the sweet smell of incense was permeating throughout the room. They meditated for about 20 minutes and then walked in a circle for 5 min. The Sensei entered the dojo and the class lined up. He then bowed the class in. The atmosphere was very professional and quite. This was very different from other schools I visited where the students were joking around and everyone was always talking.
After stretching and rolling across the mat a few dozen times, the students broke into pairs and began working on their "hard technique" as the Sensei called it. They were making contact with one another, not where they were hurting one another but enough that they could practice for real. The students then, at the command of the Sensei, surrounded one of the higher ranking students and starting attacking him at the same time. He started throwing them in all directions! It was amazing to say the least.
I spoke with the Sensei afterwards and found him to be very warm and congenial. He told me a little about his background as a Police Officer and a bouncer and what this art had done for him. I really recommend this dojo and if I lived in Indianapolis, this would be the dojo for me.
- Steven H
